Scotland: Tantallon Castle

After lovely Craigmillar and disappointing Hailes, I continued north, to more brooding Tantallon Castle, built in the mid 1300s. It soon became the headquarters of the so-called Red Douglases, a famed family in Scottish history. Tripadvisor:
"Tantallon Castle is a handsome ruin of a once grand castle in a spectacular location, hugging the coastline east of Edinburgh. Climb the steps up to the tower or stuff face on a bench with views out to Bass Rock and the open sea beyond."

And that's pretty much what I did. I started out by grabbing a bench, though not one with views of the sea; rather I got one in relative shelter of the strong winds out there and proceeded to stuff face. Then I toured the ruins.

The approach to the castle is over green fields.


Getting closer.


Where I took refuge from the wind & stuffed face.


Bass Rock.


The inner courtyard.


From above.


During the Civil War, the castle was heavily bombarded by Parliamentary forced under general Monck. The tower was destroyed and the rest of the buildings abandoned. It was to be the end of Tantallon as an inhabited structure.


T'was a long way down.


The Great Hall.